A story about everything and nothing, a boy in a plum tree, and a 7th grade no longer sure that anything means anything. "The novel asks the immense existential questions of the meaning of life. With its unusual, rhythmic and tightly composed language it is an amazing piece of work, which teasingly, grippingly and thrillingly depicts the quest of a group of children to proving to themselves and other people that something matters in life." Information “A youth novel in Nobel Prize class.” Lena Kjersén Edman, Sweden"Janne Teller has written a novel about nothing less than the meaning of life. This book makes a deep impression on the reader and incites continued reflection." The Danish Cultural Minister.

From www.jannekeller.dk Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

“The matter-of-fact,
ruthlessly logical amorality of these teens is chilling. Gorgeously lyrical, as
abetted by Aitken’s translation, and dreadfully bleak.”

Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A provocative and
challenging parable about human instability.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Indelible, elusive,
and timeless, this uncompromising novel has all the marks of a classic…This is
an unforgettable treatise on the fleeting and mutable nature of meaning.”

Booklist (starred review)

“The spare but
beautiful language contrasts with the horror of the actions to create a book
that will remain with the reader for a long time and be sure to provoke
discussion.”

VOYA

A 2010 Publishers Weekly Best Book: Children's Fiction

A 2011 Michael L. Printz Award Finalist

Winner of Printz Awards, 2011

Listener Opinions

Blackcatmoon66 | 2/15/2014

" This book was quite disturbing at parts, and really bothered me, maybe I just didn't get it. "

Cathe Olson | 2/15/2014

" This is supposed to be a book for 12 and up but it's pretty heavy and disturbing. It's by a Danish author and translated into English. A 13-year-old boy decides life has no meaning so what is the point of school, work, dating, or anything. A group of his classmates want to prove him wrong so they start the "heap of meaning" in which each of them must add their most meaningful possession. Each kid chooses something for someone else to add and the choices get more horrible as the book goes on. I could see this book opening quite a discussion with teens. "

georgia:]!!!!! | 2/4/2014

" im reADING THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW AND ITS PRETTY GOOD HAHA. "

Cali | 1/24/2014

" This book was really, really disturbing in very very cool way. It's one of those books that really get you thinking, even about things you don't particularly want to think about. Loved it. "

" I was happily along for this existential ride until the ending. I wanted more absurdity and less morbidity, though Teller does a fine job of highlighting the absorb in humanity's obsession with meaning. "

Lauren | 11/12/2013

" Wow. This small book packs quite a punch. A disturbing yet hauntingly beautiful punch that will leave a mark for some time. "

Anita | 10/23/2013

" Wow! Truely haunting. Shirley Jackson - esqe story. Unforgetable. "

Chandra | 10/8/2013

" Lord of the Flies meets The Chocolate War, with some philosophical pondering about the meaning of everything or nothing. It's about revenge, sacrifice, and fear. Translated from Dutch, the language is stark and beautiful, but there's nothing heartwarming or uplifting to be found in this novel. "

Edward Sullivan | 9/13/2012

" Existentialism for readers not yet ready for Camus or Sartre. "

Lee Anne | 6/3/2012

" Well this is dark. I mean dark. Black, cold, and unforgiving as the Scandinavian night. So if you like your teen reads dark, this is the book for you. Dark. "

Christen | 5/26/2012

" This book is a little bit terrifying, isn't it? "

Christine | 4/7/2012

" There is "nothing" redeeming about this book. Terribly written (perhaps it's the translation), morbid and consequence-less. Don't bother. "

Chandra | 10/29/2011

" Lord of the Flies meets The Chocolate War, with some philosophical pondering about the meaning of everything or nothing. It's about revenge, sacrifice, and fear. Translated from Dutch, the language is stark and beautiful, but there's nothing heartwarming or uplifting to be found in this novel.
"

Sara | 10/28/2011

" I was blown away by this book. It was disturbing, powerful and thought provoking. It's the type of book I'll think about for months, years after. Certain scenes were difficult to read, but it's a real 'meaning of life' book. I've never read anything like it.
"

Ms. Jackson | 10/27/2011

" I went back and forth on liking this book. It really made me think about something having meaning and what happens when a group of people becomes invested in a collective thought. The ending left me unsettled.
"

Susan | 10/13/2011

" It was horribly good. Wow. Lots of fodder for discussion.
"

Dennis | 9/26/2011

" I really liked it thematically, but I disliked the style it was written. Too short, too staccato like and somehow weird.
"

Janessa | 9/22/2011

" creepy. soooo creepy. that's all i have to say. It is a Prince Honor book i suppose....warning: creepy.
"

April | 9/4/2011

" very disturbing book aimed at teenagers - one review of this book said that it gets very Lord of the Flies very quickly, and I can't think of a better way to describe it
"

Cassie | 9/1/2011

" Wow! Just wow! Real human emotion is all over this book. It's dirty, disgusting, funny, VERY surprising, but all-in-all really makes you think about what is important to you in your life.
"

About the Author

Janne
Teller
was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has written several award-winning novels. Nothing
is the winner of the prestigious Best Children’s Book Award from the Danish
Cultural Ministry and is also a Printz Award Honor Book in the United States.
Janne lives in New York City and Denmark.

About the Narrator

Jessica Lawshe was born and raised
in Los Angeles, California. She attended Loyola Marymount University and
graduated with a BA in English. She currently lives in Los Feliz and enjoys
spending her time browsing bookstores, singing bad karaoke, and causing general
mischief alongside her Jack Russell terrier, Franny.

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